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Legal Issues Surrounding Private Operation of Prisons

NCJ Number
102114
Journal
Criminal Law Bulletin Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: (July-August 1986) Pages: 309-325
Author(s)
C Mayer
Date Published
1986
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Privatization is one of today's 'hot' issues in corrections.
Abstract
One reads of grand offers to take over and run a State's prison system. One hears off-the-record accounts of 'very big' money ready to move into the construction and management of prison systems. 'We can do it better and cheaper than government,' said an anonymous entrepreneur. Clearly, there are major political and policy questions that must be answered before this country accepts the privatization of prisons. There are also significant legal issues involved -- issues of labor law, delegation, control over use of force and discipline, and liability. The author examines these issues -- and more -- in providing a readable and thorough legal blueprint for the private operation of prisons. (Publisher abstract)